New Zealand Premiers Visit, ANZACS in France

[Raineranton]

Hello All,

is somebody here who can kindly tell me where and when this picture was taken?

ANZACS in France - New Zealands Premiers Visit, "Daily Mail" Official Photograph.

On the backside stands: The Right Hon. W.F. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward at the Front. They are seen beside a war-plane talking about its capabilities.

Thank you

Regards

Rainer

[errolmartyn]

Rainer,

Massey and Ward visited the Western Front twice during the war - once for 'a full week' late October-early November 1916 and again in early July 1918.

The photo was almost certainly taken during the first visit, as per:

MINISTERS' TOUR
INCIDENTS IN FRANCE
MR. MASSEY MAKES A FLIGHT.
(Received November 6, 1 p.m.)
LONDON, 5th November.
Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward attended the presentation of medals to New Zealanders in Prance. They visited and addressed numerous units at various points of the front.
The visitors, from a British observation post, secured a fine view of the enemy trenches during a British bombardment. On one occasion the Germans vigorously shelled the spot where the visitors had been located for half an hour previously.
They also inspected the principal English, aerodrome, and Mr. Massey made a flight.
General Sir Douglas Haig entertained the party at luncheon.
They inspected many German dugouts. Both were impressed by the splendid organisation which keeps the troops well fed, and also the dressing stations. The party visited the New Zealand hospitals, and many points of historic interest at Ypres.
They were impressed by the splendid daring of the British, airmen.

(New Zealand's Evening Post, 6 July 1916)

Errol

[Raineranton]

They also inspected the principal English, aerodrome, and Mr. Massey made a flight.
They were impressed by the splendid daring of the British, airmen.

(New Zealand's Evening Post, 6 July 1916)

Errol

Hello Errol,

thanks very much for writing down this article. ^_^

Could it be that the principal English aerodrome, which was mentioned in this text, is St. Omer?

Regards

Rainer